Make sure to place the scales on a hard, flat and stable surface. If you are using a bowl or another recipient, place this on the scales platform. Now set the dial or the pointer to 0 either by rotating the plastic lens cover or by twisting the knob on the scales (depending on the model).

When you have weighed your first ingredient reset the dial or the pointer to 0. When you add the next ingredient, only this weight will be weighed.

The more precise a weighing scales is, the more sensitive it is. You must always place your scales on a hard, flat and stable surface. It is perfectly normal to have slight differences between two measurements - this can be explained simply by placing the ingredients differently on the product. Make sure that the dial or pointer is always at zero before weighing.

Could the scales have fallen or been hit? Has it ever had more than it's maximum capacity on it? Has any water got inside it? These may all be reasons for a defect developing.